New Bloggers

I would formally like to welcome some new bloggers I have recently added to my "Favorite Blogs."

The first is Bonnie & Owen. Bonnie is my first cousin but really she is like my big sister! Her and Owen have been married for 7 years, and they are wonderful! I wish we lived closer because we would hang out with them often! Check out their blog...

Then there's Erin...she's an old friend from Central Heights that I grew up with (well, went through Junior High and High School with)! She's married with 2 very cute boys, so I'm sure she'll have some exciting posts!

And last but not least, my old friend Leah from MEI. She's also married with 2 kids plus one more on the way! I haven't seen her in forever so it is so nice to catch up in this way!

So, nothing new going on. Work has been great the last week and a half or so, and I am so thankful to the Lord for providing for us! I'll be back with more later on this week...sorry this is a short post...don't really know what else to write!!!

What Kind of Pie Are You???

find your inner PIE @ stvlive.com

It's a good thing Shaun's favorite pie is apple -- that's why he picked me!!!

My Life So Far...

This post is for Leah, an old friend for MEI Data Processing Class with Mr. Chan! She asked for an update on my life, so here it is!

After graduating from MEI in 1998 I decided to head down to Multnomah Bible College in Portland, OR. I was there for 2 years and I LOVED it. I can truly say it was 2 of the best years of my life! I was in a place surrounded by amazing friends who encouraged me and where my faith grew immensely. I am so blessed continually by that experience!

After 2 years at Multnomah I decided to go home to Abbotsford. I really had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I decided to take the year off and ask God to lead me where He wanted. During that time I lived back at home, and I worked at Envision Credit Union as a bank teller, which I loved. It was a great experience! I also got to hang out a lot with old friends and family. In April of 2001 (after being home for almost a year) I was thinking about a number of different options--going back to Multnomah, going to Africa to be a Dorm Leader at a Missionary Boarding School, or going down to Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA, to pursue the rest of my Bachelor's in Music. I had always dreamed of singing in APU's choir but never thought it would come true because it is a very expensive school (especially when doing exchange rates)! One day at lunch I was talking with my parents about how much I would love to sing in the choir, and my dad said, "Well Kristal, if that's really your dream then we'll make it work!" Little did he know what he got himself into...

Within 2 weeks I was down at APU checking out the campus and the music program. I auditioned for the choir and was told I would receive a $1200 scholarship to be in the choir, as well as an International discount for being Canadian! I was also accepted to attend...so, I did!

At the end of August, 2001, my parents drove me down to Azusa. I lived in an apartment with 3 other transfer students. All of us were very different but I am thankful that I got to know them all! It was in my first semester at APU that I was introduced to Shaun Sawyer. His best friend David was the piano player for the choir and he had told Shaun about me because he knew Shaun would like me! I remember the day I met Shaun, we were sitting down at lunch with David and his then-girlfriend Michelle, as well as one of my now-best-friends Rachyl, and they introduced us. I, of course (being oblivious) didn't notice what they were trying to do. Also I had a crush on another boy (who will remain nameless at this point) who happened to be one of Shaun's friends. Both of these boys pursued me, and to make a long story short, in the end, Shaun won!!!

We started dating in January 2002, and when he met my parents in March 2002 he was already asking for my hand in marriage! He proposed to me on May 21st, 2002 after a long scavenger hunt around Los Angeles. It was wonderful--so creative. I felt like the most special girl in the world!!! I went home after that to plan for our wedding! It was crazy being away from Shaun and planning a wedding in 2 ½ months! But it was fun, and so good to have time with my family!

I went back to APU for the fall 2002, and I lived with 4 other girls in a 2 bedroom apartment! Now, that was FUN! Good times...2 of us were engaged so there was a LOT of wedding talk going on! After the semester ended (finally!) we headed up to Canada for our wedding! We were married on December 21, 2002 in front of 240 of our family and friends (well, 220 of them were mine, poor Shaun!). It was the BEST day of my life.

After we were married we lived in Azusa in a one bedroom apartment near the school. I was still in school full-time, and Shaun was working part time for his parents (they own a private Montessori school) and taking 2 classes to finish his Bachelors. Shaun graduated in May 2003, and after that we decided to move out to Valencia, which is where Shaun grew up and where his parents live. I got a job as a server at Black Angus and spent the summer making good tip money! In the fall I went back to APU for my last semester. It was a long semester being that I had to commute 45 minutes (without traffic) both ways! But I did it, and I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in December 2003.

After graduation I got a job at Princess cruises, which is right here in Valencia, working as a reservation agent. I have always wanted to be a travel agent, so this was my perfect opportunity to get started in this field! I worked there for about 5 months, but then I got the opportunity to work from home as a travel agent for an online company (www.beatanycruiseprice.com). I have been working for them since June 2004. It’s been a good job, stressful at times, but I love that I can be home!

Since we got married, Shaun was working for his parents but at the same time pursuing his dream as a musician. He was in a band (Any Old Joe) and they were pursuing it heavily. It was really stressful on our marriage being that Shaun was gone a lot of evenings (rehearsing in Azusa) and also he worried about it a lot, just wanting everything to work out.

We prayed about it a lot and this last April Shaun decided to look into some other options for a career. He decided to pursue one of his other dreams, which is to learn how to be a chef! We made the decision that he would attend the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena (Cordon Bleu). We also were given the opportunity to move in with Shaun’s parents to save money while he is in school! We are so thankful for this situation! I don’t think everyone would be able to live with their in-laws, but Shaun’s parents are so giving that we really do see this as a blessing!

Shaun’s band is “on hold” for now. Really they all need to sit down and discuss if they are going to continue or not. Also, we found out on July 21^st that we are expecting our first baby! We are both SO thrilled! So much has changed in the last 5 months—I am so excited about life and our future together. If you want to read more on our last 5 months go ahead and read back on my blog…I started in March of this last year.

So yeah, that’s it…Praise God for His perfect leading in my life…looking forward to what He has in store for us next…

My Husband, Chef Shaun

Doesn't he just look so handsome in his chef's outfit? The school is very meticulous about them wearing everything cleaned and ironed. Luckily Shaun likes to iron (yes, I married a good one, ladies)!!! School has been good for Shaun. He's been busy and comes home with lots of homework and studying, which is an adjustment because we are used to having a lot of free evenings! He loves it though, and I am so proud of him!

I have been feeling pretty good this week -- sure can see changes in my body already, which is SO weird. My tummy is rounder and harder although not necessarily bigger yet. I've felt a bit nauseous around lunch time still but I try to ignore it by being busy with work! I really want to take pictures of my progressing stomach but don't know when to start. Maybe at week 10, which is at the end of this week!

Work has been okay--I've been busy so hopefully bookings start coming into place! I made 3 today, which I am thankful for.

So other than that, nothing else really new!

Sad news...made a decision today that I will not go to Indonesia with my parents in November to visit Julene & Chris. I am so sad. I have researched it and decided that for the safety of this baby and my health during the pregnancy it's probably best that I stay home. I am bummed...this means I probably won't see my sister until next summer. Wow...that seems like FOREVER. I sure do miss her.

Oh boy, I love STRESS

Yup...so the last thing a pregnant woman in her first trimester needs is stress, right? Well too bad, I've got it. At least today...

So last night I get an urgent call from this guy named Bryan, who I booked earlier this year to go on a Carnival cruise this weekend for his honeymoon. The cruise is scheduled to leave on Sunday, August 21st from Galveston, Texas. He purchased a whole cruise/air package from us (from Seattle) which we bought all through Carnival. The thing is, Bryan and Mindy are getting married this Saturday, August 20th, and they HAVE to fly out on Sunday morning, not on Saturday which obviously would not work since they are having their wedding! Anyways, when I booked the flights with Carnival they reassured me that the flight was a "day-of" flight, meaning that they would definitely fly them out on Sunday morning, directly from Seattle to Houston. So we booked it.

Yesterday, Bryan received his tickets, and the air tickets said the flight was leaving on Saturday, August 20 at 6:05am!!! Umm, okay, that does not work!!! By the time he notified me there was nothing I could do because Carnival's air department was already closed for the day. Understandably, Bryan was upset. I was too...and extremely worried for them! I explained the situation to him calmly, and told him I was going to pray that something would work out.

So last night, I was REALLY worried about this. What if we didn't find him another flight? Did I somehow just ruin his honeymoon? I decided to read from James, which in chapter 5 says, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray." So I prayed. I prayed that God would give us a solution for this and provide another flight. I had faith that by the time I started work the next day that it would be worked out.

So this morning my boss called Carnival first thing in the morning, and they said since it was so close to sailing that there was nothing they could do--they had no flights available to rebook them on. My boss and I have been on the phone all day trying to figure out other options for them, but the ONLY option we are finding is to buy new tickets, which would end up costing him $285 more than he already paid. I told Bryan how frustrated I am with the situation and how sorry I am. How do you explain to someone that they either have to pay more for their honeymoon or they can't go at all? And why had God not answered my prayer...I was in trouble, and I had had faith. What is up with that? Also, I was frustrated because my boss wasn’t taking any initiative to deal with the situation or compensate them in any way.

I decided to finally take a shower around 1pm, during which I received a voicemail from Bryan. He said:

Hey Kristal, it's Bryan. I just wanted to call and tell you thank you for the work on our cruise. and let you know that don't be discouraged, okay--I am convinced God is in control of these things and even I don't quite get why things panned out the way they have so far, I think it is going to work out. Hang in there, I'm sorry that you have been feeling bad, please don't. Take care. Bye.

Wow. I was blown away by his kindness and faith. Here I was, doubting God because the way I wanted this to work out had not happened yet. Here's the groom, who is getting married on SATURDAY and he is calm enough to tell me that everything will work out.

The situation still isn't completely resolved but I am working on it, with much less stress. If you could pray that God would bless this couple despite these circumstances and that if it is His will that things will all fall into place for them. Thanks.

So, We're Having a Baby!!!

Today we had our first look at our baby! Well, right now he/she does not look like a baby, but instead like a blob…that’s okay, we love baby anyways! We are SOOO excited at this blessing God has given us and are thrilled to be able to share this news with you!!!

I’m sure a lot of you have questions you want to ask me, so I decided to answer some of them now. If I’ve left anything out, please comment and I will be sure to answer!

When is Baby Sawyer due to arrive into this world?

The Doctor said told us today that I am 8 weeks 5 days along, which means the baby is due sometime around March 24^th, 2006! Shaun’s birthday is March 20^th, but I have a feeling I won’t be able to pick the date of baby’s arrival!

How have I been feeling?

I have actually felt good – the biggest difference is that I am tired earlier and require more sleep than normal! I haven’t really felt morning sickness, just a bit of nausea here and there so I am SO thankful for that! Other than that…I definitely have had food aversions to anything Thai (peanut-y), coffee (can you believe it!), and anything super acidic (like orange juice).

But what about Shaun starting school and living with the In-Laws?

Plans are continuing as normal! Life is going on and we really feel like this is God’s perfect timing for us! Shaun will complete his classes at the end of August 2006, and then he has a 3 month externship (who knows where?!?). So we will have 5 months here at the in-laws to settle into being parents before we move along. We really truly see this as a blessing to be living here…much less stress!

Were you “trying” to have a baby?

Well, we weren’t NOT trying…if that makes sense. We came to a point a couple of months ago when we decided to leave it in God’s hands. I have wanted to be a Mom since I was 2 years old (literally) so I’ve always jokingly pressured Shaun to let me have one! Shaun was always excited to someday be a Dad, but wasn’t quite ready to commit to the idea…up until a few months ago. Our marriage is the best it has ever been (praise the Lord) and since everyone always says you’ll never be fully ready for a kid, we thought we’d leave it up to the Lord.

Are you going to find out what you’re having?

No…we want to be surprised!!!

So…that’s our news. I have been kinda scarce on my blogs lately because I have SO badly wanted to share this news with you! Now I can, so you can be sure you will hear A LOT about this!

Oh, and I forgot to mention (as my Mom kindly reminded me) a couple more books I have been reading lately:

Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis and Judith Schuler

What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff

Happy 1st Birthday, Paet!

To our handsome nephew, Paeton Ben…

We wish you a Happy Birthday with your family! We wish we could be there!
Lots of Love to you, sweet boy.

Love,
Uncle Shaun & Auntie Kristal

Book Meme Thingy...

Five books that mean a lot to me:

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (Mark of the Lion series)

Lover of My Soul by Alan D. Wright

What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey

Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot

Young Adult Fiction: Elizabeth Gail Series by Hilda Stahl

Childrens: Anything Dr. Seuss, Curious George, and anything fairytale…Alison, I don’t have as good long-term memory as you do! Mom, do you remember what my favorite book was as a child?

Literary Travel: Uhh…

Historical Fiction: A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
Great book about five woman in the Bible…Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary

Just for Fun: Anything John Grisham, the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Series!

I AM TAGGING…

Aimee…because your Dad OWNS a bookstore, so you should have some good ones!
Heidi…because you work at a bookstore and I know you LOVE to read!
Cherylene...I’m curious…

P.S. If any of you have already done this…sorry! You don’t have to redo it…just re-direct me to that date and I’ll re-read it….

Happy 3rd Birthday, Bean!

Dearest Tehya,

We hope you have a great day and year being three! You are such a special little girl…we love your sparkling blue eyes! Thank you so much for your genuine prayers.

We love you, TOO, and pray for you everyday!

Much Love,

Auntie Kristal & Uncle Shaun

We're Home...with lots of Memories to share...

We left on Thursday, July 28th from LAX into Vancouver. On the way we had a perfect shot of Mount Hood out our window!

On Friday night we had a shower for my cousin Konrad's fiancee Susan. It was great to see all my aunt's and girl cousins and of course eat some tasty Mennonite food! My mom made the shower cake--it was beautiful!

It was so good to see my "sister" cousins, Carolyn and Adrienne!

On Saturday Shaun & I went up with my parents to Whistler. We had a picnic lunch on the way.

Whistler is beautiful in the summer AND the winter!

The buds in Whistler.

The Chateau Whistler...yup, it's expensive!

My parents and Shaun went on the "looge"...a bobsled-type ride down Blackcomb! They all liked it, even my Mom!

Here are all three, being pulled up the hill on the ride.

My happy, hot husband (wow, nice alliteration!)

View from the car window on the way back from Whistler.

On Sunday after church we had a family gathering at Hatzic with my Mom's side. It was nice to see them...it's been 9 months after all!

Across the lake from our cabin on Hatzic Lake.

My cute grown-up cousins (I still feel like they are 6 years old!) Larissa, Carmen, and Rosalyn.

Monday morning we left for Lake Chelan, were we met up with my "sister-cousin" family...from L to R Bonnie, Adrienne, me, and Carolyn. WE SURE MISSED YOU, JULENE!!!!

Shaun had fun playing with Christian (2 years old), who is Eric & Carolyn's son.

Da Boys...from L to R Shaun, Eric & Christian (Carolyn's family), Owen (Bonnie's husband), and my brother Ben.

We had a tasty brunch at Campbell's on Tuesday morning with everyone!

When you tell Christian to smile for a picture, this is the face he makes! How cute is he?!?? Not to mention the fact that he calls my dad "Auntie Herb!"

Lake Chelan from our spot on the beach.

Other view...oh, it is my favorite lake ever!

Ben and his cute girlfriend, Kari-Lynn. It was so nice to meet her!

Adrienne and I getting ready to venture out on the Seadoo. We had one crazy ride...didn't flip or anything, but we stopped in the middle of the lake and just jumped in! The water was perfect!

My wonderful parents...

We saw this bear from behind and thought it looked as though he was taking a leak into the planter, so Shaun thought he might as well too (...he didn't really....just pretend!)

Lake Chelan at sunset.

Ice Cream...another famous pasttime in Chelan!

We stopped in Leavenworth on the way home for dinner...such a beautiful town. We ate at a place called "Gustav's"...

On Thursday night we met up with Andrea & Gord in White Rock. We had dinner at the Boathouse and walked on the pier! Good times...

White Rock Sunset

Mount Baker from White Rock

On Friday night Shaun & I had a date night with Ben & Kari. We went out to dinner at the Cactus Club and then saw "The Island"...it's wierd that I went on a double date with my baby brother!

At the Cactus Club

On Saturday we had a family day in Vancouver...I HAD to take a picture of this Princess ship as it left for Alaska!

We went tandem biking around the Sea Wall (Stanley Park)...one of my favorite things to do in Vancouver!

I love this shot!

I was carefully trying to take pictures as I rode "hands-free" on the back of the bike. I got a couple of good shots (dangerously!)

After the ride we picked up Domino's pizza and sat in the park to watch the fireworks finale.

What a show...the best firework show (besides Disneyland, of course!)

On Sunday we had a birthday celebration for my Oma (my dad's mom) who turned 88! It was in Yarrow at a park. From the park we had a perfect view of the new house my Uncle Herb & Aunt Elsier are building.

We drove up the hill to see the house and property...it is SO beautiful! A great view of the Fraser Valley!

On Monday Shaun & I went to visit my Opa at the hospital (my mom's dad). We were so glad that he recognized and remembered us both!

Monday night we spent at home with the family (and Adrienne and Kari)...yummy barbeque! We also watched an old movie called "Night Crossing" which was one of our favorite Family Night movies when we were little.

We had a wonderful time...so many new memories...

Havin' fun in the Abby Sun...

I really do apologize for being such a bad blogger lately! We are up here in Abbotsford having a wonderful time with friends and family. We are here until the 9th (Tuesday) and then it is back to V-town and work for me, school for Shaun. We are very excited for this new chapter in our lives!

Some exciting things we have done so far up here:

- The ladies on my Dad's side had a Bridal shower for my cousin-to-be Susan last Friday night
- My parents took Shaun & I up to Whistler last Saturday for the day...we had some tasty food and got to explore the town with no snow!
- Sunday we had a family gathering at my grandparent's cabin on Hatzic Lake. We had more tasty food (good ol' Mennonite cooking!) and played Botchee ball in the field!
- Monday to Wednesday we drove down to Lake Chelan, WA with my parents and Ben & Kari (his girlfriend). We have been going down there since I was 3 years old with my Uncle Herb & Aunt Elsie's family...they were there this time too with their family(my sister-cousins Carolyn, Bonnie, & Adrienne)...we have a gazillion memories there, so it was tonnes of fun. We really, really missed Julene though!
- Thursday (last night) we drove out to White Rock and had dinner with my friend Andrea & her husband, Gord, at the Boathouse. Then we walked on the pier and talked. It was so great to get caught up with her, and Shaun and Gord got along great! Too bad we don't live closer...they'd be great couple-friends!
- Tonight we are going on a double date with Ben & Kari in Coquitlam...out for dinner and a movie...should be fun!
- Oh, and so far I have watched "Anne of Green Gables" Episodes 1 & 2...I am such a sap.

That's all for now...I'll be back with pictures later!